ComplaintsforKBT Engineers

• Initial Complaint

  04/06/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I hired *********************** with KTB Engineers to provide structural drawings for my home construction project. Adnan abandoned the project after numerous delays and myriad communication issues. KTB used an architectural rather than structural program to create my drawings without making me aware of that and are now refusing to export my files in CAD format. There are no funds owing KTB and absolutely no justification whatsoever for their refusal to provide my drawings in an industry-standard format. I even sent Adnan simple step-by-step instructions for exporting CAD files from Chief Architect and he refuses to perform this simple 1-2 minute task. I believe that Adnan is intentionally sabotaging my project in retaliation for personal differences, knowing it will delay my project and increase costs to have another SE redraw my plans. This conduct is anything but professional!

  Business response

  04/06/2022

  The claims by Mr. *** are not correct below is our responses:
  He said, Adnan abandoned the project. This is a false claim the drawings and calculations been delivered to client and the building permits approved by the Washington county. (See attached approved permits records).
  He said, KTB used an architectural rather than structural program to create my drawings without making me aware of that and are now refusing to export my files in *** format. We provided the drawings and calculations in PDF format this is what Washington County required to obtain the building permits. And this is the standard with all Jurisdictions. The *** format of the drawings are company property we own it. We release the *** format only if it is on the contract. We didnt have the *** format on the contract. (see attached contract).
  He said, I believe that Adnan is intentionally sabotaging my project in retaliation for personal differences, knowing it will delay my project and increase costs to have another SE redraw my plans. Our contract ended when we deliver the drawings and get his building permits issued by the County. as the permits records show the building permits issued months ago. (See attached approved permits record). We dont have any obligations to this project.
  
  Thank you for your cooperation. Looking forward to resolve this complaint. Tell us why here...

  Customer response

  04/11/2022

   
  Complaint: 16981057
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

   

   

   

  [KBT] Adnan abandoned the project. This is a false claim the drawings and calculations been delivered to client and the building permits approved by the Washington county. (See attached approved permits records)."
  
  ***** Adnan gave written notice that he was abandoning the project for construction phase (email Jan 14th 2022 attached)
  
  
  [KBT] "We provided the drawings and calculations in PDF format this is what Washington County required to obtain the building permits. And this is the standard with all Jurisdictions. The *** format of the drawings are company property we own it. We release the *** format only if it is on the contract. We didnt have the *** format on the contract. (see attached contract)."
  
  *****  Adnan does not cite any authority for his claim to ownership of my structural plans so I assume he is basing his opinion on The Copyright Act of 1976.  However, this is clearly a case of work for hire as my wife and I did all design work as architects of record.  KBT merely provided structural specifications per our instruction. In many instances they did not even contribute to the structural aspects, instead simply copying and pasting specifications directly from manufacturers' web pages (ICF, among others).  
  
  [KBT] "Our contract ended when we deliver the drawings and get his building permits issued by the County. as the permits records show the building permits issued months ago. We dont have any obligations to this project."
  
  *****  Adnan seems to believe the structural aspects of a home end upon receipt of a building permit.  Yet, he was obviously aware that we would need a structural engineer for the construction phase since he gave notice about not being involved in that. So he knows we need an engineer for construction phase (mostly due to numerous mistake and oversights by KBT); refuses to participate in that phase; and refuses to provide my structural drawings in a format that other structural engineers can work from. Why would any legitimate engineer want to do this?  He does not want to participate in construction phase and only wants to make this more difficult and costly for another engineer.  Why would anyone do that? There are no funds owing. This is obviously a case of intentional sabotage and KTB have absolutely no legal rights to my structural drawings. It looks like this is something that will need to be explained to Adnan in a court of law.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************

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